The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $52.5 million contract for Maui fire debris cleanup to Dawson Solutions, which is listed as a Native Hawaiian Organization 8(a) contractor.
It is a sole-source contract, meaning there was no competitive bidding process — to save time. The three-month contract covers hazardous site assessments for household material and bulk asbestos removal in Lāhainā and Upcountry Maui.
The Hawaiian Native Corporation, the parent company of Dawson, is under federal investigation for financial irregularities. Federal agents seized company computers and phones back in June but did not say what the company is suspected of doing wrong.
Founder Christopher Dawson has stepped down as CEO, saying he doesn't want to be a distraction. The operational employees are still working.
The recently awarded contract is for Phase 2 of the cleanup process. Phase 1 is currently underway and involves removal of hazardous materials by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Phase 2 is focused on debris removal from private property. Debris can only be removed if the property and business owners have granted permission via a completed right-of-entry form.
The Army Corps of Engineers this week also awarded an $18 million contract to AEPAC for cultural monitoring during the cleanup process.
Editor's note: Dawson and the Hawaiian Native Corporation are underwriters of Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
